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The Non-Mechanic’s Guide to a Flat Car Battery

Isn’t it always the way? You’re in a rush to be somewhere, you jump in your car and it won’t start. It’s a flat car battery. These inconveniences always happen when we least need them to happen. It’s times like those when you wish you knew how to jump-start a flat battery. Or it could be that your battery has come to the end of its useful life, meaning you need to replace it immediately. The fact is, batteries don’t last forever but there are ways you can optimise their usage so that they have better longevity.

If you have a vehicle with new engine technology such as a hybrid or electric car, refer to the instructions provided by the manufacturer.

What causes a flat car battery?

Negligence – It can be as simple as leaving the door ajar overnight and the interior light will drain the power.

Driving patterns – If you only need to drive your car very short distances every couple of days, the battery may never become fully charged.

Accessories usage – Maybe it’s a rainy day and you have to wait in the car for your friend to finish work. You keep the fan and radio on, and charge your mobile phone while the ignition is in ‘accessories’ mode. Without the car’s engine being on, if your battery is a little aged, you could cause a flat battery. Try starting the car every 10 minutes or so and run it for about a minute to avoid this happening.

Lack of use – Did you know that if you don’t use the car for an extended period such as when you go on holidays, some of its on-board computer systems continue to drain the battery over time? Some batteries also naturally discharge very slowly over time.

Age – The average life span of a car battery is around 3.5 years.

Faulty battery – There are numerous causes of a faulty battery including sulfation, parasitic draw and acid stratification.

Avoid jump-starting your car if it’s a fairly late model

Since late model cars are equipped with complex electronics, any spike in voltage can potentially damage the delicate circuitry with disastrous – and expensive – consequences. If your car battery is flat, you should never use old-style jumper leads. Only use those that are fitted with a ‘spike guard’ or ‘surge protector’. These jump-start products are fitted with inbuilt spark and surge protection are don’t require a second car to be involved.

How to jump-start a flat battery

Before you even try to jump-start your car’s flat battery, there are a couple of things to keep in mind:

It will only work if the reason the car won’t start is a flat battery. Consider all possible reasons before jump-starting.

The battery must be in sufficiently good condition to take a charge.

The battery’s charge can’t have been fully depleted.

If you are inexperienced in automotive repairs or maintenance, do not attempt to jump-start a flat battery without expert assistance.

If your car is a late model, call your local mobile mechanic or roadside assistance company.

The best possible way to jump-start a flat battery that won’t cause injury or harm to you or other people and which is least likely to damage your car, is to call a professional to do it for you. You’re dealing with complex electronics and electrical charges.

The hazards of DIY battery jump-starting

Though many people do jump-start their flat car batteries themselves, there are more reasons to avoid doing it yourself. Considering the size of your investment for the cost of your car, the risk to your health and that of others, and the potential for things to go wrong, it makes more sense to enlist the services of a professional. Here’s why:

If your car battery explodes, you – and others around you – could be sprayed with burning sulfuric acid or suffer injury due to inhalation of toxic gases.

Your car could sustain very expensive damage to its circuitry and could also suffer burns to the engine and exterior.

If you try to jump-start using a second car, you could cause damage to the other car as well, which you may have to pay for.

It is possible to receive an electric shock because the power from the battery travels to the coil where it’s boosted to more than 50,000 volts and then travels to the spark plugs.

Jump-starting a battery in which the fluids are frozen can lead to an explosion, as can a cracked or leaking battery.

Focus instead on keeping your car battery healthy

Every month, inspect your battery terminals for corrosion and clean if necessary.

Avoid starting the car with too many accessories poised to drain the battery. Don’t plug in GPS units or mobile device or switch on the lights, radio or windscreen wipers until the car has started. Allow yourself the time to put on your sunglasses and seat belt before plugging in and switching on these items.

If you don’t use your car frequently, it’s important to try and go for a drive a couple of times a week (more or less, depending on the age of your car and your battery). Starting the engine already draws a significant amount of power from the battery and it needs to be driven for the charge to really matter.

If you intend to be away and not use your car for several weeks or more, or if you don’t think you can drive it as often as it needs to remain charged, invest in an automatic battery charger that’s designed not to overcharge the battery once fully charged.

Regularly check the liquid levels inside the battery. Make sure the engine is off and remove the battery caps. Each cell should be checked. You can purchase car battery acid in small quantities from car parts retailers, or you can simply use distilled water. Never use ordinary tap water or you will damage the battery. Fill the cells until the liquid touches the bottom of the fill tube and never over-fill because as the liquid expands, it could leak. Remember to use eye and hand protection due to the risk of spills or splashes.

Tutorials, classes and books

Before it becomes necessary to do any kind of car maintenance, it’s a good idea to be prepared with the skills and information. You can learn how to jump-start a flat battery through YouTube tutorials, by attending car maintenance classes or by reading books. Given the number of steps involved to do it 100 per cent safely, you would be wise to spend some time studying the process, and not rush in and try it when you’re running late for that important meeting.